THE BROWNPAPER TIGER. To 17 August.

Young People

THE BROWNPAPER TIGER
by Vicky Ireland, music and lyrics by Andrew Dodge

Adventure Theatre, Polka Theatre To 17 August 2002
Tue-Fri 11.15am & 2.45pm Sat 12.30pm & 2.30pm
Runs 50min No interval

TICKETS 020 8543 4888
Review Timothy Ramsden 2 August

An imagination-stimulating play that could provide a model for wet holidays to come.On Christmas Day only the latest high-specification toy will satisfy. But on a rainy afternoon any other time of year, brown paper and string will do better to fire the imagination and fill the hours. That's what Ruby and Sita find. Vicky Ireland's play for 3-5s presents the idea through a tiger that emerges from a present, seeming to leap from the packaging and flee away. It leads to an action that's as inventive as the most imaginative child could wish.

Helped by audience suggestions (though once these have been encouraged early on, the action cannot accommodate all that some audience members come up with), the friends set off on an imaginary journey into the jungle to find the tiger. They meet an array of creatures on the way, using objects from presents or found in their room.

Both performers play with sympathy towards their audience, taking up as many suggestions as possible. Some have to be turned aside, but this is always done with explanation and nobody's left feeling foolish for having called out.

In the end, Tiger's found and the sun comes out in the garden. It's a happy end to a happy, unscary, all-involving show.

Sita: Nina Bhirangi
Ruby: Elisa de Grey

Director: Vicky Ireland
Designer: Tom Roberts
Choreographer: Ian Waller
Costume: Annie James

2002-08-04 22:45:49